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Teachers endeavour to inculcate into the minds of young
people the hygiene and sanitary conditions so necessary to their
good health, if there is within the premises of the school conditions
of sanitation which do not coincide with the teaching given,
clearly the efforts of our teachers are wasted. We have again been
beset by an outbreak of Sonne Dysentery; this forms part of a
national condition which is difficult to curtail.
This disease is not a very serious one, but it leads to a
tremendous amount of loss of school, and in some cases to loss
of working hours.
Birth Rate has again fallen, the same circumstances as I
mentioned in my last Report still appertain—the rising cost of
living and the difficulty of obtaining suitable housing accommodation.
Death Rate has risen and although it compares favourably
with the country as a whole, it gives an uneasy feeling to see any rise
in this direction. The rise, however, occurred mainly amongst
old people.
Infantile Mortality Rate is again lower and the NeonNatal
Rate is likewise down.
This fact reflects not only the great efforts of our doctors,
midwives and health visitors, but also the increasing realisation
amongst our young mothers of factors concerning the healthy
upbringing of children.
Maternal Mortality Rate is down to the extremely low
figure of 0.71.
There are three outstanding facts which must in future receive
the attention of both Council and Staff alike, namely: —
(1) The causation of slums.
(2) The aetiology of old age.
(3) The prevention of tuberculosis.
1. (a) This is caused in many instances by the occupants.
(b) The complete absence of an all-out effort to improve
ageing properties.
2. (a) The increasing tendency of the family to abandon
their ageing parents.
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